Fifty years of Forres House Community Centre marked with tree planting in Grant Park's Sunken Gardens

COMMUNITY members of all ages gathered for a ceremony marking 50 years since a much-loved local building was opened.

Ahead of the tree planting, Lord-Lieutenant of Moray, Major General Seymour Monro CBE LVO, gave a speech to attendees and former employees of Forres House Community Centre at the Sunken Gardens, the site of the original Forres House mansion destroyed by fire in 1970.

Former community worker, Lorna Creswell, co-organised the event to coincide with the date of the opening of the Centre on December 21, 1973.

She said: “Our planning group wanted to recognise the value of what the building has been to so many people over the past five decades.

“The planting went OK - despite the bitter cold there was an amazing turnout. More than 50 were invited, mainly because they had connection with the Centre and the history of Forres House that had burnt in1970 near where the tree was planted. Some were also married there, worked there or took baths there.”

She added: “Richard Ogilvie donated the Rowan tree, Grant Speed from Moray Council Lands and Parks and Ian MacLennan from Forres In Bloom prepared and helped plant it.

“Attendees included Lord-Lieutenant depute and AJ Engineering director Alan James and his wife Ainsley, Councillor John Cowe and his wife Joan, Former Convener of Moray Council George McIntyre DL, who played a major role in the Centre’s development, Forres Community Council chairman Steve Ferris, Forres Highland Games secretary Mike Scott, Stephen Davidson from Forres Community Activities Association, Forres In Bloom secretary Sandra Maclennan and residents of Varis Court and Leys Sheltered Complex transported in by The Osprey Trust.”

A native Rowan tree was selected because the species is easy to grow and suits its location.

Ms Creswell explained: “I met forester Richard Ogilvie at Centre Point Church in the town hall - he offered to donate the tree when I told him we were planning to mark 50 years since the opening of the Centre.”

Maj Gen Monro said: “With a good crop of red berries, Rowan trees are hard to beat in the autumn - and they bring good luck! ‘The Rowan Tree’ is a superb pipe tune too!”

He added: “There was a good turnout for the planting on a breezy day - some from the earliest days of the Centre.

“Lorna did a wonderful job organising the celebrations.”

The attendees were joined in the Centre café afterwards for refreshments.

Ms Creswell said: “Seymour thanked the folks for attending and chatted amongst them. Anderson’s Primary School 3/4 pupils sang festive songs which everyone loved. The Coffee House sponsored by baking mincemeat and apple pies, and serving hot drinks. We shared a cake as well as memories of the past 50 years.”

Finally, a raffle of prizes donated by local businesses and residents was drawn and a photograph of Grant Park’s Forres House passed around to reflect on. Photographs of Forres House Community Centre through the years are currently on display in the corridors. There is also space for suggestions for the building’s future.

Ms Creswell said: “We hope the ideas will be realised in the next 50 years including new doors to the patio being installed, more music events and young people being involved in activities programming.”

Maj Gen Monro finished: “Forres House Community Centre has been of tremendous benefit to thousands of people, young and old, over the past 50 years.

“I hope its excellent sports hall and other facilities, and delicious fare at The Coffee Shop, will continue to provide a lot of people with enjoyment and pleasure for years to come.

“A community centre should always be at the heart of the community!”